Shadows of the untouchable

ront of the Sterling Estate. The dress was a deep emerald green that shimmered under the estate's gl

was straight out of a billionaire's fantasy-columns that seemed to touch the sky, sprawling gardens lit wit

n invitation under an assumed name. She wasn't sure if it was luck or just Mia's abi

ne. A waiter in a crisp white uniform offered her a glass of champagne as she passed, bu

was polished marble so reflective it felt like walking on ice. Guests mingled in designer gowns and tuxedo

wasn't here to gawk at the extravagan

n she s

tailored to perfection, and his dark hair was slicked back in a way that made him look even more imposing than he did in photograp

m. She couldn't approach him outright; that would raise too many questions. She needed to obse

r, nearly knocking her off balance. "Watch it," th

She slipped toward the bar, positioning herself near a clust

man said, his voice low. "More acquisition

ed, sipping his drink. "He's a shark.

ll group of people, his posture relaxed but his expression unreadable. She couldn't hear what he was

nd her. She turned to see a waiter stumbling, the contents of his tray-se

r, his expression flickering with irritation for just a

s just a few feet away from him. Her heart pounded as she pretended t

ng was saying, his voice low and smooth.

d, raising his glass. "You've ou

into her bag, subtly turning on the

tone almost bored. "Knowing when to strike-and wh

to the laughter, a nervousness that hinted

t him to say something incriminating, something that hinted at the d

her move, someone steppe

g the fl

her blood ru

rectly in front of her, one eye

, her cheeks flushing.

gaze sweeping over her. "I don

real name-not here. "Sophia... Davenport,"

is lips curling into a faint smile. "

erself to meet his gaze. "I

id, his tone polite but dist

ne, moving back into the crow

er ears. She'd been inches away from the man sh

't over. Not